balance

Bal·ance

bal·ance

(băl′əns)

n.

1. A weighing device, especially one consisting of a rigid beam horizontally suspended by a low-friction support at its center, with identical weighing pans hung at either end, one of which holds an unknown weight while the effective weight in the other is increased by known amounts until the beam is level and motionless. Also called scale.

2. A state of equilibrium or parity characterized by cancellation of all forces by equal opposing forces.

3. The power or means to decide: matters that fell outside the judge's balance.

4.

a. A state of bodily equilibrium: thrown off balance by a gust of wind.

b. The ability to maintain bodily equilibrium: Gymnasts must have good balance.

5. A harmonious or satisfying arrangement or proportion of parts or elements, as in a design.

6. An influence or force tending to produce equilibrium; counterpoise.

7. The difference in magnitude between opposing forces or influences.

8. Accounting

a. Equality of totals in the debit and credit sides of an account.

b. The difference between such totals, either on the credit or the debit side.

9. Something that is left over; a remainder.

10. Chemistry Equality of mass and net electric charge of reacting species on each side of an equation.

11. Mathematics Equality with respect to the net number of reduced symbolic quantities on each side of an equation.

12. A balance wheel.

v.bal·anced, bal·anc·ing, bal·anc·es

v.tr.

1. To determine the weight of (something) in a weighing device.

2. To consider and compare or assess: balanced the pros and cons before making a choice.

3. To bring into or maintain in a state of equilibrium.

4. To act as an equalizing weight or force to; counterbalance.

5. Accounting

a. To compute the difference between the debits and credits of (an account).

b. To reconcile or equalize the sums of the debits and credits of (an account).

c. To settle (an account, for example) by paying what is owed.

6. To bring into or keep in equal or satisfying proportion or harmony.

7. Mathematics & Chemistry To bring (an equation) into balance.

8. To move toward and then away from (a dance partner).

v.intr.

1. To be in or come into equilibrium.

2. To be equal or equivalent.

3. To sway or waver as if losing or regaining equilibrium.

4. To move toward and then away from a dance partner.

Idioms:

in the balance

In an undetermined and often critical position: Our plans were left hanging in the balance. Resolution of that item is still in the balance.

on balance

Taking everything into consideration; all in all.

[Middle English balaunce, from Old French, from Vulgar Latin *bilancia, having two scale pans, from Latin bilānx : bi-, two; see dwo- in Indo-European roots + lānx, scale.]

bal′ance·a·ble adj.

balance

(ˈbæləns)

n

1. (General Physics) a weighing device, generally consisting of a horizontal beam pivoted at its centre, from the ends of which two pans are suspended. The substance to be weighed is placed in one pan and known weights are placed in the other until the beam returns to the horizontal. See also microbalance

2. an imagined device for assessing events, actions, motives, etc, in relation to each other (esp in the phrases weigh in the balance, hang in the balance)

3. a state of equilibrium

4. something that brings about such a state

5. equilibrium of the body; steadiness: to lose one's balance.

6. (Psychology) emotional stability; calmness of mind

7. (Art Terms) harmony in the parts of a whole: balance in an artistic composition.

8. the act of weighing factors, quantities, etc, against each other

9. the power to influence or control: he held the balance of power.

10. (Accounting & Book-keeping) something that remains or is left: let me have the balance of what you owe me.

11. (Accounting & Book-keeping) accounting

a. equality of debit and credit totals in an account

b. a difference between such totals

12. (Chemistry) chem the state of a chemical equation in which the number, kind, electrical charges, etc, of the atoms on opposite sides are equal

bal·ance

(băl′əns)

To adjust a chemical equation so that the number of each type of atom, and the total charge, on the reactant (left-hand) side of the equation matches the number and charge on the product (right-hand) side of the equation.

balance

A concept as applied to an arms control measure that connotes: a. adjustments of armed forces and armaments in such a manner that one state does not obtain military advantage over other states agreeing to the measure; and b. internal adjustments by one state of its forces in such manner as to enable it to cope with all aspects of remaining threats to its security in a post arms control agreement era.

tension - a balance between and interplay of opposing elements or tendencies (especially in art or literature); "there is a tension created between narrative time and movie time"; "there is a tension between these approaches to understanding history"

electrolyte balance - an equilibrium between the amounts of electrolytes (as calcium and sodium and potassium) that is essential for normal health and functioning

nitrogen balance - the balance between the amount of nitrogen taken in (to the soil or the body) and the amount given off (lost or excreted)

trial balance - a balance of debits and credits in double-entry bookkeeping; drawn up to test their equality

3.

balance - harmonious arrangement or relation of parts or elements within a whole (as in a design); "in all perfectly beautiful objects there is found the opposition of one part to another and a reciprocal balance"- John Ruskin

structure, construction - a thing constructed; a complex entity constructed of many parts; "the structure consisted of a series of arches"; "she wore her hair in an amazing construction of whirls and ribbons"

component part, part, portion, component, constituent - something determined in relation to something that includes it; "he wanted to feel a part of something bigger than himself"; "I read a portion of the manuscript"; "the smaller component is hard to reach"; "the animal constituent of plankton"

leftover, remnant - a small part or portion that remains after the main part no longer exists

6.

balance - the difference between the totals of the credit and debit sides of an account

carry-forward, carry-over - the accumulated and undivided profits of a corporation after provision has been made for dividends and reserves

compensating balance, offsetting balance - a minimum credit balance that a bank may require a borrower to keep on deposit as a condition for granting a loan; a common requirement for establishing a line of credit at a bank; "the compensating balance increases the effective interest rate to the bank since the net amount loaned is reduced but the interest paid is unchanged"

invisible balance - the difference in value over a period of time of a country's imports and exports of services and payments of property incomes

remainder, difference - the number that remains after subtraction; the number that when added to the subtrahend gives the minuend

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